Global mobile marketing code of conduct released

“The MMA believes that strong consumer privacy standards are essential to the success of mobile marketing by protecting mobile users from unwanted communications on their mobile devices. It is only through industry support of strong privacy guidelines that the power of mobile marketing can reach its full potential,” said Russell Buckley, MMA global board chairman and MD, Europe for AdMob.

The MMA Global Code of Conduct, or “the Code”, is intended to guide companies within the mobile ecosystem so that they can effectively, and responsibly, leverage the mobile channel for marketing purposes, while always protecting the consumer experience.

Produced by the MMA's NA Privacy Committee, with input from MMA Regional Board of Directors in APAC, LATAM and EMEA, the Global Code of Conduct updates the 2007 revision and aligns the code with generally accepted global privacy principles. It has five categories:

• Notice - The fundamental principle of the MMA Privacy Code of Conduct, informing users of the marketers' identity or products and services offered and the key terms and conditions that govern an interaction between the marketer and the user's mobile device.
  
• Choice & Consent - respecting the right of the user to control which mobile messages they receive by obtaining consent (opt-in) and implementing a simple termination (opt-out) process.
  
• Customisation & Constraint - ensuring that collected user information is used to tailor communication to the interests of the recipient and is handled responsibly, sensitively and in compliance with applicable law. Mobile messages should be limited to those requested by the user and provide value such as product and service enhancements, contests, requested information, entertainment or discounts.
  
• Security - the implementation of reasonable technical, administrative and physical procedures to protect user information from unauthorised use, alteration, disclosure, distribution, or access.
  
• Enforcement & Accountability - the MMA expects its members to comply with the MMA Privacy Code of Conduct and has incorporated the code into applicable MMA Guidelines, including the US Consumer Best Practice (“CBP”) Guidelines. Until the code can be enforced effectively by a third party enforcement organisation, mobile marketers are expected to use evaluations of their practices to certify compliance with the code.

“It is the heart and soul of the MMA to ensure a positive, consistent consumer experience, encouraging marketers to get the consumer interaction right first time round so that mobile interactions from brands are not viewed negatively,” said MMA president Laura Marriott. “The MMA Global Code of Conduct creates clear and consistent global guidelines for the careful treatment of each and every consumer interaction to help build a sustainable industry for mobile marketing.”

The MMA NA Privacy Committee developed the Code with participation from the following members: Acxiom Corporation, Ad Infuse, AOL, LLC, AT&T Mobility, Chapell & Associates, iLoop Mobile, InfoSpace, ipsh!, Microsoft (MSN and Windows Live), Motricity, Neustar, Pelago, Procter & Gamble, Qualcomm, Safecount, TxtGroups, US Cellular, VeriSign, Verizon Wireless, Vindigo, Wired Assets, Xiam, Yahoo! and Zoove.

The MMA Global Code of Conduct can be downloaded at www.mmaglobal.com/codeofconduct.pdf.

For more information about the MMA, a global non-profit trade association which represents 650 member companies worldwide, go to www.mmaglobal.com.